Slub counting device



Nov. 16, 1954 F. NISTICO ETAL 2,694,311

SLUB COUNTING DEVICE I Filed June 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.FRANK NISTICO BASIL s. SPRAGUE ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 16, 1954 F. msnco ETAL 2,694,311

SLUB COUNTING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'NVENTORS.FRANK NISTICO BASlL s. SPRAGUE MM A ATTORNEYS.

United States-PatentfOfifice 2,694,311 Patented Nov. 16, 1954 SLUBCOUNTING DEVICE Frank Nistico, Westfield, and Basil S. Sprague, NewProvidence, N. J., assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1951, SerialNo. 229,958

7 Claims. (Cl. 73-160) This invention relates to a counting device andrelates more particularly to a slub detector and counting device forcounting slubs and other like physical defects in a running yarn withoutcausing a yarn break during said slub detecting and counting operation.

A slub is a soft, thick, uneven place in a yarn, somewhat knot-like incharacter and may be caused by the passage of a yarn containing brokenfilaments through a ring traveler or other device where tension isplaced on the yarn. Slubs may also be formed during spinning operationsin the production of artificial filamentary materials by extrusionmethods. The presenceof an excessive number of slubs is quiteundesirable and is an indication of poor yarn quality.

An object of this invention is the provision of a slub detector fordetecting and keeping an individual count of the slubs encountered in arunning yarn.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slub detector andcounter mechanism which is operated upon directly and in a positivemanner by the presence of a slub in a running yarn without causing ayarn break where said slub appears.

Yet another object of our invention is the provision of a slub detectorand counter which is rugged in construction, economical to manufactureand easily operated and read.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the i followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of this invention isshown:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the novel slub detector and counter of ourinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of our novel slub detector and countershowing the yarn guides through which the yarn is run, the slubnumerically recording the slubs which are detected;

Fig. 3 is an end view of our novel device, partly in section, takenalong the line 3--3 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is another side elevational view of our novel device, shownpartly in section, taken along the line 44 in Fig. 1 in the direction ofthe arrows; and,

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a loading the slub gate through is passed.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. l, the yarnwhich is to be tested for slub count and indicated by reference numeral1, is threaded through a pigtail guide 2, through the gate 3 of the slubdetector assembly or mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral4, and then through a second pigtail guide 5. The slub detector assembly4 comprises in its major structural parts a longitudinal U-shapedbracket 6 provided with upstanding arms 7 and 8 and a lateral'U- shapedbracket 9 provided with upstanding arms 11 and 12. Brackets 6 and 9 aresuitably connected and may be conveniently designed to interlock or tobe otherwise assembled together and held in position to form a unitarystructure.

Slub gate 3 is slidably mounted in a holder 13 which is provided with aplurality of broad fingers 14 suitably attached to holder 13 as, forexample, by means of a spotweld. Fingers 14 are spaced from holder 13the proper distance to provide a slot sufl iciently wide and modifiedmeans for springwhich the yarn under test gate and the counting dial forwith a notch 19. The rotation of deep to permit the introduction of slubgate 3. Integral with slub gate holder 13 is a curved spring pawl 15 andthe gate holder 13 itself, at the lower end thereof, is in the form of abent leg 16. The purpose and function of both pawl 15 and leg 16 willhereinafter be described in detail. The entire structure comprising slubgate holder 13, pawl 15 and leg 16 is mounted so as to be freelyrotatable about a shaft 17 which is journalled in arms 11 and 12 of thelateral U-shaped bracket 9.

Fixed to rotatably mounted shaft 17 for rotation therewith is a ratchetwheel 18, mounted in such position adjacent to slub gate holder 13 thatthe notches 19 in said ratchet wheel register with and are adapted to beengaged by the pawl 15 on slub gate holder 13, as shown in Fig. 4. Theslub gate holder 13 on shaft 17 may be adjusted to assume any desiredposition up to about 45 from the vertical by means of a rotatablyadjustable cirular stop 21 the position of which is controlled by a setscrew 22 provided with a locking nut 23 for holding stop 21 in adjustedposition. Slub gate holder 13 is normally held against stop 21 by meansof a coil spring 24 which is carried by shaft 17. One leg of coil spring24 is held in fixed position by the base of U-shaped bracket 6 while theother leg of coil spring 24 engages the rear of slub galte holder 13 topress the same against circular stop 2 A second stop is provided forlimiting the movement of slub gate holder 13 when rotated in theopposite direction. The second stop comprises an adjustable set screw'25which is threaded through arm 7 of longitudinal U-shaped bracket 6. Setscrew 25 is so positioned in relation to leg 16 that, upon the clockwiserotation of slub gate holder 13, as shown in Fig. 2, the limit of movement is reached when leg 16 strikes the end of set screw 25. A lock nut26 is provided to hold set screw 25 in adjusted position.

To place the novel slub detector and counter of our invention inoperation, yarn 1, taken from a suitable yarn supply whose slub count isto be measured, is threaded through pigtail guide 2, slub gate 3 andpigtail guide 5, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and theyarn is then taken up by means of a suitable take-up mechanism (notshown) which causes it to run through said pigtail guide and slub gate.

If yarn 1 contains a slub or thickened portion, as for example thatportion identified by reference letter S, which portion has a diametergreater than the Width of the slub gate 3, said slub S will not be ableto pass through. Accordingly, the thickened portion S will strike slubgate 3 and, since it cannot pass, will cause slub gate holder 13 to berotated in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 2, against the urgingof coil spring 24. The movement of slub gate holder 13 causes ratchetwheel 18 to be rotated since pawl 15 is normally in engagement ratchetwheel 18 causes shaft 17 to be rotated and this movement of shaft 17actuates an indicator hand 27 which is keyed thereto. Hand 27 cooperateswith a numbered chart, generally indicated by reference numeral 28 bymeans of which a record of the slub count is maintained. After the slubS is running yarn I has depressed or rotated slub gate holder 13 to theposition shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2, slub S is rejected and ridesout over the top of slub gate 3. After the slub S has passed over thetop of the slub gate, the yarn which follows then slips down into theslot in the center of slub gate 3 and the slub gate holder 13 isreturned to its original position in contact with circular stop 21 bythe action of coil spring 24. Movement of ratchet wheel 18 in acounterclockwise directionis prevented by means ofa detent 29 mounted onarm 11' of lateral bracket 9 by means of a screw 31. This sequence ofmovements places all of the elements in position to repeat the cycle ifanother slub is encountered in the running yarn.

In lieu of employing the coil spring 24 on shaft 17 to return slub gateholder 13 to its usual position during the normal running of the yarn 1,an arrangement such as that shown in Fig. 5 may be employed. In thisalternative arrangement, a coil spring 32 is provided, one end of whichpasses through a hole 33 at the base of leg 16 with the other end beinganchored in a peripheral slot 34 provided with an adjustable set screw35 threaded through arm'8"ofbracket"6.*Byrotating'set'screw'35"the"tension exerted by spring 32 may beincreased or decreased so as to increase or decrease the resistance ofslub gate holder I3 to displacement when :a'slubiSistnikesslub gate 3.

The dimensions of'the slot.in slub '.gate.3 may vary dependingupon thedenier: of the yarn runnin'g'through the sa'me. Slub gate 3- isread-ily.changed for a slub gate having a wider or narrower slot bymerely slidingit in an upward direction and outfrom undert'fingers l i."A replacement is made 'by inserting -another. slub .gatelunder fingers14 and pressingit home. The width of the slot in slub-gate 3 shouldbesuflicientto passthe yarn, without producing any abrasionbuti-shuldbenarrow enough to trip v.the mechanism when. a-slubof ia sizesufiicient to be considered a fault is encountered.

. It is to bexunderstood that the foregoingdetailed description is givenmerelyby way 'of illustration-land that many variations. mayi'be "madetherein without departing' from the spirit of I our invention.

iHaving described our invention,"what we desire" to secure by LettersPatent; is:

1. In a yarn'slub detector, the'combination of.a slub gate comprisingmeansiadapted to pass aisluhefree running yarn and reject a'yarn slub,support means: for said slub gate, a shaft having'said support :meanspivotal'ly'mounted thereon, means,Iincliiding a ratchet wheelkeyedtosaid shaftand an arm carried i'by'zsaidlsupportmeans and adapted tooperate said ratchet wheel, operatively connecting said pivotallymounted slub gate support means andsaid shaft for causing 'any'pivotalmovementwsof said slubgateasupport means-con contact with a yarn slub torotate said shaft, and meansroperated by the pivotal movement of saidslub gate support means for indicatingpassage of a slub through saidslubgate.

2. In a yarn slubdetector, .thescombination of" a slub gate comprisingmeans adapted to pass a slub-free running yarn and reject a; yarn slub;support means for said slub gate, a rotatable shaftzhaving saidsupportmeans pivotally mounted thereon, shaft, an arm integral withsaidslub= gate-support; means cooperating with said ratchet wheelfortran'slating any pivotal movement of said slub gate supportmeans-oncontact'with a yarn slub into a rotary motion of'said shaft, and meansoperated 'bytthe pivotal movement of saidslubgate support. means for;indicating; passage of a slub through said slub gate.

3. In a yarn slubv detector, the combination off-a'slub gate comprisingmeans adapted to. pass a-slub-free running yarn and reject a, yarn slub;support means. for said-slub gate, a rotatable shaft having said supportmeans pivotally mounted thereon, aratchet wheel-keyed tosaid shaft,means, including an arm-integralwithsaidslub gatesupport means and inregister with said ratchet whe'el,-f0r translating any pivotal movementofsaid slub gate support meanson contact with a'yar-mslub' into a rotarymotion of said shaft, and means operated by thepivotal movement of saidslubgate support means for indicating passage of a-slub through saidslub gate.

4. In a yarn slub detector, the combination of'a slubgatemcomprisingmeans adaptedto passaa-slub-free runningyarn and rejectayarn slub, support means forsaid slub gate, a rotatable shaft havingsaid; support means pivotally mountedethereon, a ratchet wheel keyedtosaid shaft, means including-an arm integral with said-slub gatesupport means and in register with saidzratchet wheel, for translatinganypivotalmovement ofsaid slubwgate support means oncontact with a yarnslub into a rotary motion ofsaid shaft,a detent cooperatingwith saidratchet wheel to prevent rotary motion ofsaidshaft in a directionoppositevto-thatcaused by movement of said arm, and means operated bythe pivotal movement of saidslub gate support means for. indicating:passage of a :slub through saidslub gate.

5 In .a yarn .slub detector, the combinationof a slub a ratchet wheel'keyed'to said gate comprising means adapted to pass a slub-free runningyarn"and"reject a' yarmslub, "support'means'for' said slub gate, arotatable shaft having said support means pivotally mounted thereon,adjustable stop means cooperating with said pivotally mounted slub gatesupport means for limiting pivotal movement of :said slub gate supportmeans about said shaft, a ratchet wheel keyed to said shaft, means,includirrgfanfarmrintegralwith said'slub gate support means and inregister with said ratchet wheel, for tran'slatingztany pivotalmovement.or: said 'slub gate-supportfmeans on contactfwithi'ayarn slub .into'arotary motion :of said :ashaft, a detent cooperating with 'said ratchetwheel to prevent rotary motion of said shaft in a direction opposite tothat caused by movement of said arm, aridsmeans operated by thepivotal'movement of said slub gate supportmeans for indicating passageof a slub through said slub "gate.

6. In a yarn slub detector, the combination of a slub gatefcomprisingmeansiadapted to;pass aislubafree running yarnaand .rejectzavyarn:.:slub,a support means having'ssaid slubrgate: slidablytmotmtedItherein,:a rotatable shaft: having: said :support :means:pivotallyzmounted thereon, adjustable stop a'means cooperating with:said pivota'lly mountedr slub rgatessuppiort :means .for limitingpivotal movement :of. said slub agate :support means about. said shaft,:arratchet wheelekeye d to :said \shaft means, including an ztarmintegral with wsaid-sslub gate support :means and riniregisterrwithsaid. ratchet. wheel,.for translating any pivotalrmovementtofsasaid'slubygateand slub .gateusupport means resulting: from.contactwith andrejection of a yarn slub: intma rotarynmotionof saidzshaft, spring meanscooperating with said slub gatessupportmeans for returning 2 the :-sameto= normal operative :position after rejection 'of:a1yarntslub,ramdetentcooperating with said ratchet wheel to'lprevent rotary motion of saidshaft in a directionopposi-te to tthat caused :bymovement of saidslubrgate support meanseand saidarm, and means operatedby-the-,pivotahmovement of-said slub gate support meansfonindicatingpassage of a:slub through said slub gate.

7. 111 3, yarnislubldetector the combination of a slub gate comprisingmeans5adap-ted to pass a slub-free running yarn. and reject a yarn.slub, support means having said slub gate slidably mounted therein, arotatable --shaft having saidsupportimeans;pivotal1y"1nounted thereon,adiustable stop means .cooperating with said pivotally mounted slub gatesupport means for limiting pivotal movement of said. slub gate supportmeans about said shaft, a ratchet wheel keyed to said shaft,- meansincluding1an arm= integral "with said slub, gate support means and inregister with said ratchet wheelfor-translati-ng any pivotal! movement.of said slub gate :and slu-b gate support means resulting from contactwit-hand: rejection ofa yar-n slub .into at rotary motion of: saidshaft,-.a pointer, fixed to said shaft,i-.a scalenadjacentwto saidpointer on: which any rotary motion-.of-said. shaft: is- -indicated,spring means cooperating withssaid slub gatesupport-rneans for returningthe same to normal operative positionafterrejectionof a,yarn-slubbyaz-pivotalmovement of :said slub, gate snpportimeans, and adetentcooperating'with said ratchet wheel-to .preventirotaryamotion.of:said shaft innacdirectionopposite-ta that causedLby movementi of saidslnb gate support means. and: said .arm.

ReferencestCited. inthez file. of .Ihispatent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name l Date Re. 1387 Frey fJan. '20, .1863 $265,696 Qsborne Oct..10, 51882 68 ,157 "Browning .Eeb. 1'9, 1901 991,899 ."SchenckMay-9,.1911

.1,008;862 .I'Poyet..- lNov. .14, 1911 2,188,754 E'Keeler "Ian. 30,.1940

$563,814 iB'ri'nk .'Aug. 214, 11951

